RE: getting into nitro planes.
If you'd like to know what's available out there, I've compiled a list of planes that are good trainers. Any of them on the list will be well suited for learning to fly on. Take a look at it and see if anything else catches your eye.
You can find the list here
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 10-3-06) [/link]
Hope this helps
Ken